Plaid leader to visit Llan

A political leader will be making a visit to Llangollen this week to talk about her hopes and aspirations for Wales following the Assembly elections next year.

 

Leanne Wood, who heads Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales, is to hold a special evening for the public at the Hand Hotel on Thursday at 7pm.

The 'What Next For Wales?' meeting will be chaired by Mabon ap Gwynfor,  the party's candidate for the area next year.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor said: "The Welsh election next May is of vital importance for our families and communities. People want to know what direction our country is going in. How can we improve our health services? How can we improve educational achievements? How can we get more investment in north Wales to create more jobs?

 

"Leanne Wood will visit Llangollen so that people here have the opportunity to see how Wales could improve under a Plaid Cymru Government.

 

"Leanne Wood is a widely recognised and well liked politician, and people trust her. This is a rare quality in a politician.

 

"She is also a real candidate to become Wales' next First Minister, and it is only right that people get the chance to see how Wales could improve under a Plaid Cymru Government.

 

"For instance this week she announced that a Plaid Cymru Government would stop the proposed downgrade of maternity services in north Wales immediately on its election in May. "

Fun event raises £1,000 in aid of Town Hall

* Mayor Mike Adams shares the floor with Julie Thomas and The Strictly Fun Dancers. 

A sell-out event has raised £1,000 towards the repair and refurbishment of Llangollen Town Hall.

Raising the Roof, which was staged at the Town Hall last Friday, was a supper party with music and dancing.

The evening featured Julie Thomas and The Strictly Fun Dancers, local singer Charlie Jones, who sang a sultry mix of jazz and blues, and Chris Burton with a  lively set of rock and roll from the 60s and 70s.

The event, which drew a full house, was organised by Llangollen Mayor, Cllr Mike Adams, in support of the Friends of Llangollen Town Hall, a group which is aiming to raise the funds to reroof and refurbish the building. 

Cllr Adams was particularly appreciative of support from local businesses.

He said: “I would like to thank all the businesses for their kind donations to the raffle that raised £448, and particular thanks to our two brilliant town grocers who provided the fruit bowls for the tables to complete the meal.”

Although the fabric of the building is reasonably sound, it is in need of refurbishment and a new roof and the cost of the necessary work has been estimated at £200,000.

Friday’s event was the first of several planned in the coming months to raise money for the building which is a focal point for many groups in town and a regular venue for a wide array of theatre, cinema and musical entertainment.

Village Bakery's early dough for Eisteddfod

 

* Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, right, with Dr Rhys Davies, the chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Bakery bosses have served up an early boost for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Earlier this year the festival launched a cash appeal because the 2015 event was heading for a financial loss.

 

The appeal raised £50,000 and now long-term sponsors the Village Bakery are paying next year's sponsorship money ahead of time.

 

The Village Bakery have supported the Eisteddfod for many years and for the past two years have increased their contribution by sponsoring the Sunday night concerts, featuring Status Quo in 2014 and UB40 this year.

 

They have also agreed to sponsor next year's finalé starring Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and are making the payment in October instead of waiting until next year when the money is actually due.

 

It was music to the ears of the festival's new chairman, Dr Rhys Davies, who paid a visit to see Village Bakery managing director at their new £3 million Baking Academy and Innovation Centre on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

 

Dr Davies said: "Things are looking very positive and the appeal has raised in excess of £50,000 which is a wonderful demonstration of the popularity of the event and the affection in which it is held by so many people across the world.

 

"We’re always looking for sponsorship and we have some extremely good sponsors and some good friends like the Village Bakery who have supported us for many years.

 

"We have got out of the block very early in terms of organising the 2016 Eisteddfod as we have already announced two of the major concerts.

 

"We are kicking off this year with the popular classical singer, Katherine Jenkins, who will be singing the arias from the opera, Carmen, and Jools Holland will be the headline act for the closing concert.

 

"Next year is an extremely important milestone in the history of the Eisteddfod.

 

"Along with the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, we are celebrating our 70th Eisteddfod after everything started from a small beginning in 1947.

 

"We are aware that we cannot and must not rest on our laurels as we are competing against all the other festivals in the world and particularly in Europe.

 

"Every organisation has to evolve and that is true of the Eisteddfod so we are reconfiguring the week.

 

"The grand parade is now going to be the centrepiece of the whole week which will make it even more colourful and more spectacular.

 

"We are moving it from the Tuesday to the Friday when we will have a greater critical mass of competitors available to take part.

 

"We really want that at the heart of the whole Eisteddfod with the competitions on either side, and each day being themed with competitions followed by an evening concert and ending up with The Choir of the World competition like we had last year which was brilliant.

 

"We’ll also have a 70^th party on the Sunday night with Jools Holland conducting the celebrations, and sponsored by the Village Bakery."

 

"Our sponsors are very important to the Eisteddfod and we are extremely grateful to companies like the Village Bakery for not only supporting the Eisteddfod by also paying the money early which is an enormous help in terms of cash flow. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

 

According to Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, the Llangollen Eisteddfod was a unique and important part of the global cultural calendar and just as relevant now as it was when in was established to promote peace and harmony after the Second World War.

 

Mr Jones said: "The Eisteddod has been an important part of my life since I can remember.

 

"When I was a child growing up, as a family we used to accept competitors into the house and we used to put them up so even since those early years, mum and dad have taken people in as did the rest of the community.

 

"My dad has always been a keen supporter over the years and we’ve been a small sponsor for many years and then two years ago, we decided to step it up and sponsor the Sunday night. 

 

"Our customers love it, we enjoy it as a family.  It’s good for staff and it’s good for the local community.

 

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a great institution and we were aware of the financial difficulties surrounding this year's event so I asked if we could pay our sponsorship fee early which has gratefully been accepted.

 

"I am delighted we can help and give something back to the community by supporting this fantastic event."

Eisteddfod committee's Christmas concert

On Sunday 13th December the Music and Staging Committee of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will hold their annual Christmas Concert at the Pavilion, starting at 7.30pm.

Now in its third consecutive year, the concert has become a popular and eagerly anticipated date in the Eisteddfod calendar and with a programme bursting with a mix of seasoned performers and rising talent, this year’s event promises to be a real cracker. 

Hosted by sports commentator Nic Parry, who has become a familiar face on the main stage during Eisteddfod week, the concert will showcase several local groups including TRIO, a young, male ensemble from the heart of Snowdonia.

The threesome, who have recently released their debut album of the same name, describe themselves as a “new singing experience” and have a broad, bi-lingual repertoire of varying genres. 

A Christmas concert would not be the same without children and local pupils will also feature strongly in the form of the Flintshire Country String Orchestra and the Rhos Boys’ Choir.  

The String Orchestra, conducted by Aled Tudor Marshman, is part of the highly successful Flintshire County Youth Music School which was established in 1996.

In recent years, it has performed at a host of events across the UK and Europe and has also competed at the National Festival of Music for Youth, which is Europe’s largest youth music event.   

Now entering its third year, the Rhos Boys’ Choir, which is affiliated to the Rhos Male Voice Choir, has enjoyed a number of achievements during its relatively short existence.

These include performances alongside leading artists and a recording for a Christmas CD, which has been aired on both local and national radio stations. 

All of the performers say they are delighted to be taking part in this festive celebration of music and we look forward to welcoming them, and indeed our audience, in Llangollen.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit our website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk. Tickets are priced at £10.00 (concessions £8.00) and can also be purchased directly from the box office at the Pavilion or from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.   

 

Special event at RAFA Club

Health board stays in special measures

The BBC is reporting that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will remain in special measures for two years.

They say the announcement has been made by Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board's chief executive Prof Trevor Purt, suspended since June, is stepping down, adds the report.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34602975

In a statement, the North Wales Health Alliance campaign group said: “Trevor Purt’s departure is an opportunity for the health board to re-engage with both staff and the general public, who have grave concerns about the way health services in the North are being run.

"His time here will be remembered as one of centralising and downgrading services and failing to be open and transparent with the community.

 

“But the problem goes much deeper than just one man or one position. The health board and Welsh Government has to accept that their direction of travel has to change or we will see further problems emerge.”

                                                              

Tools stolen in Llangollen burglary

North Wales Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Llangollen.

Sometime between 5.45pm on October 8 and 6.30 on October 9  unknown offenders gained entry to a secure yard off the A5 in Llangollen.

The location is the Old Dobson and Crowther site where a new food store is currently under construction.

Entry was gained to a storage container and a quantity of tools were stolen from inside.

Police say that if you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident you should contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15154759.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

North Wales Police urges residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.